Train versus Coach

[doaky]

was just wondering if anyone had any advice as to which would be the best mode of travel to glasto? Am swaying towards the coach as it goes direct to the festival site. Any advice?????

[hazey_jane]

More of a factor I'd say is when you want to be onsite and when you want to leave. If you tell us this you'll get more advice. Or at least some from me.

Done Glastonbury via both methods.

[lianne and craig]

coach im hoping is better, thats how im getting there anyway. ive heared good things bout national express, however, ive been warned to steer clear of seetickets coaches.

ive been told that the coach is more spacious coz the luggage is down below, but the train is cramped? check out the thread in chat /index.php?showtopic=118582">http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.p...howtopic=118582 i had alot of info off people there.

[punkincowcat]

Getting the coach from Edinburgh this year (will be the first time!) and to be honest it looks like the best option so far..

1) I looked at booking a train and it is way more expensive than the coach

2) The coach takes you right up to the gate

3) I am assuming catching the shuttle bus back to the train station on monday morning would be a nightmare and could put you at risk of missing any pre booked trains

It could be alot different depending on where your coming from but whatever you choose, have a great one!

[p.pete]

I'll be coming from Cardiff, hopefully early Wednesday, decision is between:

-train all the way to Castle Cary (will involve one or two switches) and then the transfer bus to site

or

-train to Bristol and then bus from Temple Meads to site

The first option (mostly train) is the cheaper but I'll be swayed by convenience. I'm put off by reports of queues for the bus at Castle Cary, is it likely to be much better switching onto the bus at Bristol for a few extra quid?

[doaky]

Yeah ive heard horror stories about queues for the shuttle bus and the trains once you get to castle cary on the monday. Am travelling from london on the weds and back on the mon so was thinking that the coach would be great cos it leaves you at the main gate. and picks you up there on the monday all being well!!!!! I've also heard that coaches have a differant entrance to the site so dont get caught up in all the traffic???Anyone know anything bout this??

[paulo999]

Yeah ive heard horror stories about queues for the shuttle bus and the trains once you get to castle cary on the monday. Am travelling from london on the weds and back on the mon so was thinking that the coach would be great cos it leaves you at the main gate. and picks you up there on the monday all being well!!!!! I've also heard that coaches have a differant entrance to the site so dont get caught up in all the traffic???Anyone know anything bout this??

[popcornmaster]

bare in mind that if you are bringing optional extras

castle cary is apparently laden with police and their dogs

certainly sway some people

I take coach just easier and cheaper

[Jutt69]

Coach, coach, coach!

I used to travel by train and it is horrible. The expense, lugging your stuff round various stations, getting penned in at Paddington, waiting for the shuttle bus, and that's just on the way there. Getting back is worse.

With the coach it's cheaper and you just throw your stuff on, take a seat and you're driven right on site.

It really is no competition

Coach, coach, coach!

[ProperTea]

We got the train in 2007 and 2008 and we're getting a direct National Express coach from Manchester this year. Even though it looks as if we'll get there a couple of hours later than if we got the train down, it's worth it.

For the last two years, both there and back, me and my friends were extremely cramped. I had to sit in the doorway of one of the trains on the way down. Changing trains was an absolute nightmare with all the luggage. The crowds when we got to Taunton we're pretty big, and we were waiting about half an hour just to get the last connection to Castle Cary. And once we got there it really was terrible. Cued for over an hour for the shuttle bus.

Getting back was even worse. In 2007 we cued for 3+ hours for the shuttle bus (although there were problems with mud) and last year we cued for about an hour and a half. Then once at Castle Cary, both years we've had to wait about an hour to get on a train which, again, was reallllly cramped.

This year we're just gonna wack our bags and tents on the coach, chill out for 7 or so hours and then we'll be there. So stress-free in comparison.

Edited May 3, 2009 by grchughes

[doaky]

We got the train in 2007 and 2008 and we're getting a direct National Express coach from Manchester this year. Even though it looks as if we'll get there a couple of hours later than if we got the train down, it's worth it.

For the last two years, both there and back, me and my friends were extremely cramped. I had to sit in the doorway of one of the trains on the way down. Changing trains was an absolute nightmare with all the luggage. The crowds when we got to Taunton we're pretty big, and we were waiting about half an hour just to get the last connection to Castle Cary. And once we got there it really was terrible. Cued for over an hour for the shuttle bus.

Getting back was even worse. In 2007 we cued for 3+ hours for the shuttle bus (although there were problems with mud) and last year we cued for about an hour and a half. Then once at Castle Cary, both years we've had to wait about an hour to get on a train which, again, was reallllly cramped.

This year we're just gonna wack our bags and tents on the coach, chill out for 7 or so hours and then we'll be there. So stress-free in comparison.